Chapter One Objectives

Article 1.1: Objectives

  1. The objectives of this Agreement are to:
    1. Form an economic partnership aimed at enhancing economic integration between the Parties and at ensuring markets are open, efficient and stable within the Ontario-Québec region;
    2. Build on the significant history of cooperation between the Parties to address economic challenges and opportunities together in an open and cooperative manner to increase economic competitiveness and prosperity;
    3. Reduce and eliminate, to the greatest extent practicable, barriers to the movement of persons, goods and services and to investments and investors between the Parties to a higher degree than that achieved in the Agreement on Internal Trade;
    4. Enhance regulatory cooperation through greater transparency, dialogue and consultation;
    5. Establish effective procedures for the settlement of disputes between the Parties; and
    6. Promote sustainable development.
  2. The Parties agree that this Agreement represents a reciprocally and mutually agreed balance of rights and obligations.

Article 1.2: Mutually Agreed Principles

  1. The Parties agree that the operation of this Agreement shall be guided by the following principles:
    1. Economic competitiveness and prosperity are achieved best through the collaborative reduction and elimination of barriers to trade in goods and services, the movement of persons and investment;
    2. Imposition of new barriers offends the spirit of economic and regulatory cooperation;
    3. Reconciliation of existing measures that have been identified as barriers to trade, labour mobility or investment, recognizing that measures need not be identical, strengthens the economic partnership;
    4. Transparent, open, inclusive and accountable administrative policies and decision-making processes, based on the best available scientific and other information should be fostered; and
    5. The integrity and diversity of social and cultural communities must be respected.
  2. In applying the principles set out in paragraph 1, the Parties recognize the need:
    1. for full disclosure of measures that have the potential to impede an open, efficient and stable market between the Parties;
    2. for transition periods and exceptions;
    3. to provide adequate administrative, dispute settlement and compliance mechanisms that are accessible, timely, credible and effective; and
    4. to take into account the importance of labour standards, environmental objectives, consumer protection, health, education, culture and economic development.

Article 1.3: Extent of Obligations

  1. This Agreement applies to measures of the Parties and their government entities that affect trade in goods and services, investors and investments, labour mobility and economic, energy and regulatory cooperation.
  2. Each Party is responsible for compliance with this Agreement by its government entities.
  3. Each Party shall adopt and maintain measures to ensure the compliance referred to in paragraph 2.
  4. This Agreement applies to regional, district, local or other forms of municipal government only where specifically provided.

Article 1.4: Relationship to the Agreement on Internal Trade and Other Agreements

  1. This Agreement is established pursuant to Article 1800 (Trade Enhancement Arrangements) of the Agreement on Internal Trade, which permits the Parties to enter into additional arrangements to liberalize trade, investment and labour mobility beyond the level required by the Agreement on Internal Trade.
  2. In the event of an inconsistency between any provision in Parts II (Cooperation), III General Rules) and IV (Specific Commitments and Rules) of this Agreement and any provision of the Agreement on Internal Trade, the provision that is more conducive to liberalized trade, investment and labour mobility shall prevail. In the event that such a provision of the Agreement on Internal Trade is determined to be more conducive to liberalized trade, investment and labour mobility that provision shall be incorporated into and made part of this Agreement.
  3. The Parties may agree in writing to modify the Agreement to incorporate a provision referred to in paragraph 2.
  4. The Parties reaffirm their existing rights and obligations with respect to each other under the agreements set out in Annex 1.4. For greater certainty, the agreements set out in Annex 1.4 are not incorporated into this Agreement.
  5. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and an agreement set out in Annex 1.4, the agreement in Annex 1.4 shall prevail to the extent of the inconsistency, unless otherwise provided.
  6. The Parties may agree in writing to modify Annex 1.4 to include any amendment to an agreement set out in the Annex, to remove an agreement from the Annex or to include another agreement in the Annex.

Article 1.5: Reaffirmation of Constitutional Powers and Responsibilities

Nothing in this Agreement alters the legislative authority of the provinces or of the governments of the provinces or the rights of either of them with respect to the exercise of their legislative or other authorities under the Constitution Act, 1867.

Annex 1.4
Agreements

  1. Interconnection Agreement between Hydro-Québec and Ontario Hydro
    Signature Date: February 1, 1979
    Entry into force:June 1, 1978
  2. An Agreement respecting reciprocity in the matter of registration of certain motor vehicles between the Government of Ontario and the Government of Québec
    Signature Date: Unknown
    Entry into force: April 8, 1983
  3. Reciprocal Agreement between the Provinces of Ontario and Québec concerning Drivers' Licences and Traffic Offences
    Signature Date: November 8, 1988
    Entry into force: April 1, 1989
  4. The Ontario-Québec Vehicle, Vehicle Weights and Dimensions Harmonization Agreement
    Signature Date: August, 2000
    Entry into force: January, 2001
  5. Protocol for Cooperation between the Government of Ontario and the Government of Québec
    Signature Date: June 2, 2006
    Entry into force: June 2, 2006
  6. Agreement for Cooperation on Culture between the Government of Ontario and the Government of Québec
    Signature Date: June 2, 2006
    Entry into force: June 2, 2006
  7. Agreement for Cooperation on Emergency Management between the Government of Ontario and the Government of Québec
    Signature Date: June 2, 2006
    Entry into force: June 2, 2006
  8. Agreement Concerning Transboundary Environmental Impacts between the Government of Ontario and the Gouvernement du Québec
    Signature Date: June 2, 2006
    Entry into force: June 2, 2006
  9. Agreement for Cooperation on Forest Protection between the Government of Ontario and the Government of Québec
    Signature Date: June 2, 2006
    Entry into force: June 2, 2006
  10. Agreement for Cooperation and Exchanges between the Government of Ontario and the Government of Québec with respect to Francophone Affairs
    Signature Date: June 2, 2006
    Entry into force: June 2, 2006
  11. Agreement for Cooperation on Health Care between the Government of Ontario and the Government of Québec
    Signature Date: June 2, 2006
    Entry into force: June 2, 2006
  12. Agreement to Promote Sustainable Development of Crown Land and Natural Resources between the Government of Ontario and the Government of Québec
    Signature Date: June 2, 2006
    Entry into force: June 2, 2006
  13. Agreement for Cooperation on Tourism between the Government of Ontario and the Government of Québec
    Signature Date: June 2, 2006
    Entry into force: June 2, 2006
  14. Agreement Concerning Transportation Cooperation between the Government of Ontario and the Government of Québec
    Signature Date: June 2, 2006
    Entry into force: June 2, 2006
  15. Agreement on Labour Mobility and Recognition of Qualifications, Skills and Work Experience in the Construction Industry between the Government of Ontario and the Government of Québec
    Signature Date: June 2, 2006
    Entry into force: June 30, 2006
  16. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Ontario and the Government of Québec on Energy
    Signature Date: June 2, 2008
    Entry into force: June 2, 2008
  17. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Ontario and Government of Québec concerning a Provincial-Territorial Cap and Trade Initiative
    Signature Date: June 2, 2008
    Entry into force: June 2, 2008
  18. Agreement for Cooperation on Youth between the Government of Ontario and the Government of Québec
    Signature Date: June 2, 2008
    Entry into force: June 2, 2008
  19. Agreement for Cooperation on Social Services between the Government of Ontario and the Government of Québec
    Signature Date: June 2, 2008
    Entry into force: June 2, 2008